Abstract
This qualitative study explores the narratives of African American men as it relates to emotional vulnerability. The purpose is to examine African American men’s experiences with vulnerability, as well as understand what supports and challenges Black men face when expressing vulnerability. Ten African American men participated in semi-structured interviews, sharing their perspectives on personal definitions of vulnerability, the role of cultural expectations, and media messaging. Through thematic analysis, 4 themes were identified, Meaning of Vulnerability, Intersecting Blackness with Vulnerability, Factors that make Vulnerability Challenging, and Developing Vulnerability.
These themes highlighted the nuanced understanding of vulnerability among Black men. Findings, future research, limitations, and implications for practice are discussed. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of vulnerability among African American men and underscores the need for societal shifts toward more autonomous perceptions of masculinity and increased support systems for emotional expression.